| 1989 WSOP Main Event Winner | Phil Hellmuth Jr. |
|---|---|
| Runner Up | Johnny Chan |
| Winning Hand | 9 9 |
| Losing Hand | A 7 |
| 1st Place Prize | $755,000 |
| Number of Main Event Entrants | 178 |
1989 was the year that the “Poker Brat” Phil Hellmuth Jr. became the youngest ever champion of the WSOP Main Event at 24 years old. He did not have an easy time of it, as he had to defeat another legend, Johnny Chan, who had won the event in both 1987 and 1988.
Phil Hellmuth holds the record for most WSOP bracelets, as he has won 11 WSOP tournaments, his most recent coming at the 2007 WSOP. He is just one bracelet ahead of Johnny Chan who has ten, as does Doyle Brunson.
On the final hand of play Phil Hellmuth moved all-in before the flop with pocket nines. Johnny Chan tried and failed to get a read on Hellmuth and he made the call with A-7. The flop fell K-10-K, giving no help to Johnny. However, the Q on the turn made it so that any 10, J, Q, or A would give Johnny the hand. However, the river card was a 6 and Phil won the 1989 WSOP Main Event and prevented Johnny Chan from pulling off a three-peat.